The PP-203 by-election result gave the PML-N a clear win in Chichawatni on Sunday, as Asad Hanif Jutt beat his nearest rival by more than 18,000 votes, according to unofficial results. Counting continued late into the night in the second contest, the National Assembly by-election in Gujranwala’s NA-77.
Jutt secured 41,245 votes, while Muhammad Awais Gujjar of Tehreek-e-Ehsaas Pakistan finished second with 23,167 votes, according to unofficial figures from all 185 polling stations. The ECP has yet to confirm the result.
The seat fell vacant after PML-N MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt died of cardiac arrest on September 17. His son Asad contested on the PML-N ticket, with the lion as his symbol; Gujjar contested with the streetlight.
Polling ran from 8am to 5pm without a break. The constituency has 258,122 registered voters, and seven candidates contested the seat, five as independents.
PP-203 by-election result in numbers
The PML-N has now fought this seat three times since the 2024 general elections. In 2024, PTI-backed independent Rai Murtaza Iqbal won it with 55,874 votes against Hanif Jutt’s 35,163.
Iqbal was later disqualified after his conviction by an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad. Hanif Jutt won the November 23, 2025 by-election that followed, with 46,820 votes against 10,975 for independent Falik Sher.
Sunday’s vote was the second by-election for the seat since 2024, and the PML-N has now won both. The margin this time, 18,078 votes, was narrower than the gap between the top two candidates in 2025.
The ECP set up 185 polling stations, with 1,100 police deployed to keep polling secure.
Counting continues in NA-77
In NA-77, counting was still under way late on Sunday. PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Virk held an early lead in unofficial counts, but no winner had been announced by the time the PP-203 result came through.
The seat fell vacant after PML-N’s five-time MNA Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk died on September 11. His son Rashid is contesting it, against 10 other candidates, in a constituency of 518,620 voters.
His main rival is Pakistan Markazi Muslim League candidate Muhammad Ibrahim Gujjar; the PTI, PPP and Jamaat-i-Islami have not fielded candidates.
Polling for both by-elections concluded on Sunday, with voting held from 8am to 5pm in NA-77 and PP-203. The ECP set up 333 polling stations in NA-77.
Code of conduct complaints
The NA-77 contest drew controversy before polling day. On Saturday, the ECP took notice of an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who visited the constituency by helicopter and addressed a campaign event for Rashid. The Code of Conduct bars public office holders from taking part in campaign activities.
The commission sought reports from election officials and directed the minister to appear before it in person. The ECP also said the result of the constituency could be withheld until a final decision is made on the matter.
Notices were also issued to five more PML-N lawmakers, including MNA Saira Afzal Tarar and MPA Qudsia Batool, for allegedly visiting polling stations in NA-77.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also claimed on X that supporters of PMML candidate Qazi Ibrahim Gujjar were caught “openly stamping ballots” with election staff present. The returning officer has been directed to probe the matter and submit a report.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz posted on X after polling and claimed her party led in both seats.
What the result means
The PP-203 win lets the PML-N hold a seat it has now won twice in the space of a year, and it keeps the Chichawatni seat with the family of the late MPA.
In NA-77, a Rashid win would give the PML-N both family seats, while an ECP decision to withhold the result would leave the constituency in limbo.
Both contests filled seats left vacant by the deaths of sitting PML-N lawmakers, and in both cases the party fielded the late lawmaker’s son. A parliamentary panel on electoral reforms is also being formed, and a proposal for 12 provinces is being debated. Questions of minority representation have also been raised, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed Nawaz Sharif on K-P security and economic challenges.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the PP-203 by-election?
PML-N candidate Asad Hanif Jutt won with 41,245 votes from all 185 polling stations, according to unofficial results.
Who finished second in PP-203?
Muhammad Awais Gujjar of Tehreek-e-Ehsaas Pakistan finished second with 23,167 votes. The winning margin was 18,078 votes.
Why was a by-election held in PP-203?
The seat fell vacant after PML-N MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt died of cardiac arrest on September 17, 2026.
What is happening in NA-77?
Counting was still under way in NA-77 late on Sunday, with PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Virk holding an early lead. The ECP may withhold the result.
Are the PP-203 results final?
No. The results are unofficial and have yet to be formally confirmed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
